Inline Skate Wheel Facts

Choosing the correct wheels for your needs is one of the most important aspects of the inline skate purchase. Wheels vary greatly in size and composition and will influence the ride.

Wheel Hardness
Inline skate wheels that are higher on the hardness scale will last longer but are not prone to absorbing shocks and the vibration of even normal riding conditions. The softest wheels are the lowest on the scale, measured at "74A", and the hardest wheels are measured at "88A" - the "A" simply means that it is a measured hardness on the durometer scale. Most riders choose wheels that offer a combination of lifespan and shock absorption, and choose a wheel in the 76A to 82A range.

Wheel Size
The larger diameter the wheel, the faster the ride will be, the smaller the wheel the slower and more stable it will be. Wheels range in size from about 70mm up to 100mm and more. Most people choose wheels found in the bottom half of this range and enjoy the best mix of speed and stability.

Always refer to your inline skate user manual to find out what size wheels the skates can accommodate.